Last Updated: Tue, 06 May 2008 13:02
Thaksin Shinawatra apologised to Thailand after Man City fans unwittingly broke their laws by putting his name on the country's flag.
A section of City fans unfurled the Thai flag with the words "Thank you Thaksin" emblazoned across it during the recent 3-2 home defeat against Fulham at Eastlands.
Current Thai PM Samak Sundarajev was unhappy with the sight, while it was claimed Thai police were looking to bring charges against Shinawatra for disrespecting the flag.
However the former Prime Minister told the Thai-language Daily News: "I regret the incident by Manchester City fans in England, who were trying to show their love for the club and for Thailand.
"It's OK in their culture, and once we explained the problem to them, they expressed their regret.
"I was there at the stadium and I saw it. At the time, I was caught up in the game, but soon afterwards we informed them of the problem and they agreed to stop.
"They understand the differences in our cultures, and they have conveyed their regret. I have explained the situation to Prime Minister Samak via a third person."